CDFW News

CDFW Finalizes State Wildlife Action Plan 2025

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 16:52:29 GMT

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is excited to announce the State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) 2025 update is complete and can be found on the CDFW SWAP web page. California’s SWAP, which is mandated by Congress and updated at least every 10 years, provides a comprehensive wildlife conservation strategy that is achieved through various conservation projects executed statewide.

Public and Tribal input significantly shaped the plan. In March 2025, the SWAP Team held two public webinars, four conservation partner meetings, and two inter-Tribal listening sessions. In conjunction with these meetings, a public draft review generated over 160 comments from nearly 20 organizations, Tribes, and the public.

Since 2005, CDFW and partners have implemented SWAP conservation strategies with funding support from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s State Wildlife Grant (SWG) program, which has awarded CDFW with nearly $71 million since 2000. This year marks the SWG program’s 25th anniversary.

CDFW uses SWG funds to develop and implement its SWAP and to support wildlife conservation projects across the state. Funded projects must support strategies outlined under SWAP, whether it’s to benefit a species or to implement a SWAP goal or conservation strategy. This funding is critical to species that aren’t protected and non-game species that often lack adequate funding sources.

Conservation efforts benefitting from SWAP and SWG funding include the White-Nose Syndrome Response Project, established to monitor California’s bat population for the deadly disease that could wipe out entire colonies of these small mammals; bats play a critical role in protecting agricultural lands from pests. Another SWG funded project has successfully established a new population of Unarmored Threespine Stickleback fish in Southern California; this unique species’ range has been significantly reduced due to human development. These and other conservation highlights can be found on CDFW’s SWAP web page.

At its heart, SWAP is a non-regulatory blueprint to conserve California’s fish and wildlife, and their habitats. It combines the latest science and conservation priorities with recommended actions and tools. SWAP 2025 includes updated information on the current health of California’s fish, wildlife and plant resources. Explore SWAP 2025 to learn about CDFW’s conservation tools, as well as habitat and wildlife monitoring efforts.

Questions about SWAP can be directed to the CDFW SWAP Team at SWAP@wildlife.ca.gov.

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Media Contacts:
Cassidee Shinn, CDFW Senior Environmental Scientist Supervisor, (916) 215-4683
Steve Gonzalez, CDFW Communications, (916) 804-1714

CDFW Announces Publication of the Black Bear Conservation and Management Plan for California

Mon, 14 Apr 2025 13:46:09 GMT

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is proud to present the Black Bear Conservation and Management Plan for California.

The plan, an update to the 1998 Black Bear Management Plan, draws upon the latest scientific tools and methods to conserve, manage, and monitor black bear populations in California.

California is home to an estimated 60,000 black bears, among the largest populations in the United States, along with 40 million people. Management of this iconic species is complex, and opinions can sometimes vary on how best to ensure the health of this species and minimize human-wildlife conflict throughout the state.

“The Black Bear Conservation and Management Plan for California aims to balance the many diverse viewpoints about black bears while greatly enhancing our ability to ensure healthy populations in the future,” said CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham.

The Black Bear Conservation and Management Plan was developed using the latest peer-reviewed scientific methods and a transparent public engagement process. A draft of the plan was released publicly one year ago and received comments and input from more than 5,000 individuals and groups, all of which CDFW worked to address in the final publication.

“This plan allows us to employ the best available science to understand populations and make informed management and regulatory decisions going forward to ensure black bears thrive into the future and can be enjoyed by all Californians,” said Arjun Dheer, CDFW’s Statewide Black Bear Coordinator.

The plan provides the foundation to meet two overarching goals:

Conserve and manage black bear populations that are ecologically functional, disease-resilient, and genetically diverse statewide and regionally, and conserve and enhance their habitats.

Provide opportunities for black bear hunting, viewing, and public education; minimize human-black bear conflict; consider animal welfare in black bear conservation and management; and be inclusive of all Californians in black bear conservation and management decisions.

Pursuant to these goals, CDFW is conducting intensive population monitoring of black bears across California using GPS collars, den checks, camera traps, hunter harvested tooth samples, and the collection of DNA samples from hair snare stations.

Due to California’s geographic size and ecological diversity, the Black Bear Conservation and Management Plan divides the state into nine Bear Conservation Regions where populations will be monitored and managed independently of other regions.

Publication of the plan does not change any hunting regulations or bear harvest limits. Any changes to hunting regulations or the statewide annual bear harvest limit will be conducted through the California Fish and Game Commission public process.

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Media Contacts:
Arjun Dheer, CDFW Wildlife Branch, (916) 268-2376
Peter Tira, CDFW Communications, (916) 215-3858

CDFW Offers Guidance on How to Help Wildlife During Wildfire Emergencies

Fri, 17 Jan 2025 15:05:40 GMT

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has issued guidance on how best to help wildlife during major fire events such as those taking place currently in Los Angeles County.

CDFW is appreciative of every person who has reached out wanting to help wild animals in California. It’s important to remember that California’s native wildlife are incredibly resilient and best left alone or assisted by trained professionals.

Who to Contact

If you find an orphaned, sick or injured wild animal after a fire event, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator or your local CDFW regional wildlife program for guidance. These wild animals often have serious injuries that require specialized care and treatment by a trained wildlife professional.

Dangers and Risks

Wild animals can be dangerous. Wildlife that are fed by humans often lose their natural fear of people and can become bolder or more aggressive. Do not attempt to capture or handle a wild animal.
Wild animals can cause injury or harm. Any displaced or distressed wild animal can cause injury to humans and pets. If you encounter a wild animal, provide an escape route, and move to a safe location. It will likely leave on its own.
Feeding wildlife can cause them harm. Providing unnatural food and water sources may encourage a wild animal to stay in burned areas. This places them at risk for burns, other injuries, and exposure to harsh chemicals and smoke.
Feeding wildlife can spread disease. Many wildlife diseases are transferred through close or direct contact between animals. Wild animals that gather around feeding stations or artificial water sources can spread diseases to each other. Wildlife can also transmit diseases or parasites to people and pets.

Preventing Human-Wildlife Conflict

Do not provide food or water to wildlife. Feeding wildlife does more harm than good. Certain wildlife species such as black bears, bobcats, coyotes, deer, and mountain lions can be displaced into urban areas after a fire.
Do not attempt to rehabilitate wild animals if you are not a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. This places humans, pets and wildlife at risk. An untrained person may unintentionally prolong suffering and reduce the chance of the wild animal being able to return to the wild.

How CDFW is Helping in Southern California

CDFW is actively monitoring the intake of sick, injured and orphaned wildlife.
CDFW is providing support and coordination to wildlife rehabilitation facilities affected by fire events.
CDFW is responding to public inquiries directly regarding potentially displaced wildlife.

How You Can Help

Volunteer for a licensed wildlife rehabilitation facility. Contact individual wildlife rehabilitators to determine if they need volunteers.
Donate directly to a licensed wildlife rehabilitation facility.
Contribute to the Native California Wildlife Rehabilitation Voluntary Tax Contribution Fund using California state tax form (Line 439). All funds are provided to eligible wildlife rehabilitators. 
Use the CDFW Wildlife Mortality Reporting System to report dead wildlife
Use the CDFW Human-Wildlife Conflicts Toolkit web page for information on how to minimize human-wildlife conflicts.

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Media Contacts:
Katie Talbot, CDFW Communications, (916) 204-1381
Peter Tira, CDFW Communications, (916) 215-3858

Los Angeles City Attorney Mark Soto Named Wildlife Prosecutor of the Year

Thu, 10 Oct 2024 10:10:13 GMT

Deputy City Attorney Mark Soto with the Los Angeles City Attorney’s (LACA) Office is the 2023 Wildlife Prosecutor of the Year, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) announced. The selection was decided by the California Fish and Game Commission and Chief of Patrol upon evaluating nominations from CDFW’s wildlife officers.

Soto is a member of the LACA Environmental Justice Unit (EJU). Due to his expertise in civil litigation, Soto handles many of the commercial fishery related cases referred to the LACA EJU such as complex cases involving illegal importation of non-native abalone.

Once a popular recreational and commercial fishery, California’s native abalone populations are struggling. Two of California’s eight native abalone species are federally endangered, and other species, including the once-populous red abalone, are in decline. All commercial fishing for abalone has been banned since 1997, and recreational take of abalone has been prohibited since 2017. Licensed California aquaculture farms fulfill some of the robust demands by the legal farming of red abalone. Unfortunately, some businesses have turned to unlawful importation to profit from that robust demand not met by lawful aquaculture.

Non-native abalone importation is restricted in California due to concerns of serious diseases present in other global abalone populations that are not found in California. CDFW marine biologists are concerned those diseases could potentially infect local populations. The complex nature of cases includes navigating unlicensed or licensed fish businesses illegally importing abalone and the administrative challenges of investigating sales to restaurants, grocery stores or private parties. LACA’s EJU decided to handle the cases as civil cases for unfair business practices, the cases assigned to Soto.

Soto developed a team of prosecutors to handle these cases, including those in the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office and the Orange County District Attorney’s Consumer and Environmental Protection Unit. Due to the multi-jurisdictional nature of the illegal importation crimes committed by the business and the extent of their unfair business practices, Soto took the lead and helped his fellow prosecutors understand these cases and the importance of the prosecutions.

“Mr. Soto understands how these prohibited abalone sales cases are not just stand-alone cases involving businesses selling prohibited species but are a part of the larger nationwide illegal wildlife trafficking trade,” said Nathaniel Arnold, CDFW Deputy Director and Chief of the Law Enforcement Division. “His leadership in Los Angeles and other municipalities made him the obvious selection as Wildlife Prosecutor of the Year.”

“Congratulations to Mark Soto on this recognition as 2023 Wildlife Prosecutor of the Year. His commitment to protecting keystone species and California waterways, his collaborative spirit and his environmental protection work have been instrumental to our work at the City Attorney’s Office,” said Hydee Feldstein Soto, Los Angeles City Attorney. “I am also grateful for the ongoing partnership with CDFW that supports many of our city’s efforts to safeguard our vulnerable natural resources.”

Prosecutions of cases involving abalone and other species required Soto to learn the complex laws and regulations around the commercial fish business industry, California aquaculture regulations and restricted species laws and regulations. He has trained his fellow prosecutors in the same areas of expertise.

Soto also worked to develop supplemental environmental projects (SEPs) that civil defendants could contribute to in lieu of fines. Examples of those efforts are seen in two recent case dispositions. In February 2022, one of Soto’s cases resolved before trial. The defendant, a supermarket with three locations in Los Angeles, agreed to a stipulated judgement settling the case. In the case, the supermarket was accused of purchasing and maintaining approximately 800 live non-native abalone. The defendant agreed to a multi-year injunction prohibiting future unlawful conduct, a public announcement about their sales of restricted species, approximately $170,000 in civil penalties and approximately $5,000 in restitution to CDFW for investigative costs. In addition, the defendant agreed to contribute $20,000 to the CalTIP Reward Fund, a fund that rewards tipsters to California’s 24/7 poaching and pollution hotline.

In another case resolved in 2023, an importer of live non-native abalone settled a case for a $50,000 civil penalty and a six-year injunction prohibiting future unlawful conduct. Both companies were required to post public notices advising their customers of the prior violations regarding sales of restricted species of abalone.

These successful civil prosecutions of businesses for illegal importation, possession and sale of detrimental restricted species sets a high bar for future and ongoing litigation against corporate defendants accused of similar unlawful and unfair business practices and conduct. The visibility and success of these cases will likely serve as a deterrence for future wildlife trafficking. Soto continues his hard work prosecuting commercial defendants in other abalone-related cases, as well as other serious commercial fish business cases.

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Media Contacts:
Andrew Halverson, CDFW Assist. Chief Law Enforcement Division, (661) 428-9873
Ivor Pine, Deputy Director, Communications - LA City Attorney’s Office, (213) 503-6136

CDFW Offering up to $5 Million in Grants to Enhance or Restore Habitat

Wed, 17 Jul 2024 13:03:43 GMT

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Office of Spill Prevention and Response (CDFW‐OSPR) is accepting grant applications to fund projects that enhance, restore or acquire habitat for wildlife, with available funding totaling $5 million.

These grant funds come from CDFW-OSPR’s Environmental Enhancement Fund (EEF), which acquires funds from spill violations in accordance with California’s Lempert-Keene-Seastrand Oil Spill Prevention and Response Act.

Key details of this grant opportunity are:

Grant range: Minimum $500,000 per project
Completion deadline: April 1, 2031
Eligibility: Nonprofits, cities, counties, districts, state and federal agencies
Location: Projects must be within or near California waters
Requirements: Projects must show measurable outcomes and improve habitat or ecosystem function
Multiple projects may be submitted for funding

The selection committee includes representatives from the California Coastal Conservancy, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and CDFW‐OSPR. This is the largest grant amount available since the beginning of the EEF.

Grant applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Sept. 11, 2024. Selected projects will be notified in late fall 2024. For more information, please go to www.wildlife.ca.gov/OSPR/Science/Environmental-Enhancement-Fund/About

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Media Contacts:
Cristina Perez, CDFW-OSPR Environmental Enhancement Fund, (916) 956-8175
Eric Laughlin, CDFW-OSPR Communications, (916) 214-3279